Day 09 – Machu Picchu

Giving the bikes a day off, the group caught an early morning train out of Ollantaytambo headed to Machu Picchu.  For some, this was the highlight of the trip.  About an hour and a half later, we arrived at the transition point.  From here on up most of the mountain a bus did the work.  Disembarking the bus, a short hike led to the “Oh Wow” point with our first glimpse of it’s magnificence.

What it is not, is the Lost City of the Incas.  Archaeologists more commonly think it to be the 15th century estate of Incan emperor Pachacuti, certainly built for protection, hidden at almost 8,000 feet in elevation, rising above the Sacred Valley.  Other theories regarding its purpose abound, including a resort-like “university” for the wealthy to share knowledge.  Abandoned around 1572, it’s likely that the Spanish conquistadors never found it, given its remote location and the lack of the typical desecration that took place at many of their other Incan finds.  It lay overgrown and well camouflaged  for centuries.  Hiram Bingham is credited with its re-discovery, circa 1911, although he was led to it by a local 11 year old Quechua boy.  Others have claimed to have been there earlier.

The Inti Mach’ay cave, the Inti Watana stone, the Temple of the Sun and the room with 3 windows all have special significance as they relate to the solstice in both winter and summer.  High above the ruins lays the sun gate with its own particular solar significance.

I found the masonry work to be most impressive.  Tight mortar-less joints surround you and although the Incas did not have the arch (or the wheel), their lentil stones still span passageways quite adequately.

Days end brought a return train ride to Ollantaytambo, featuring a live fashion show of alpacan wool garments and even a visit from a devilish looking character who loved dancing with the ladies on the train.  By now, many on this trip had taken their turn at fighting the tourist-bug. My increasing fever was an indication that I wasn’t to be spared, either.